Laying a Foundation with the SWS

The Standard Work Specifications (SWS) for Home Energy Upgrades were developed by DOE, its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to set the standard for high-quality work in the weatherization and the home performance industry. With specifications covering single-family, multifamily, and manufactured housing, they define the minimum acceptable outcomes required for any task to be effective, durable, and safe. The SWS help home energy improvement contractors to do the work right while making homes healthier and more efficient. They also provide a foundation on which to build effective training curricula and qualified instruction for these same contractors.